CFB betting: Picking winners for each of the 4 major conferences
With Week 0 kicking off this week and meaningful games quickly approaching, it's time to dive into our conference title picks for the four major conferences using odds from ESPN BET and theScore Bet.
We already broke down the Heisman betting board and will release our favorite teams to make and miss the College Football Playoff later this week.
SEC title odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Texas | +275 |
| Georgia | +360 |
| Alabama | +425 |
| LSU | +650 |
| Ole Miss | +1100 |
| Texas A&M | +1600 |
| Tennessee | +1800 |
| Florida | +2200 |
| South Carolina | +2200 |
| Oklahoma | +2500 |
| Auburn | +3000 |
| Missouri | +5000 |
| Arkansas | 15000 |
| Kentucky | +3000 |
| Vanderbilt | +3000 |
| Mississippi State | +50000 |
π Check out SEC title odds on ESPN BET and theScore Bet here
The SEC is incredibly deep, as more than half the conference could contend for a playoff spot. Teams like South Carolina and Florida could be sleepers thanks to their electric quarterbacks.
Texas, Georgia, and LSU are rightfully the favorites, but let's focus on a different contender.
Alabama's success depends on quarterback Ty Simpson, who has earned little meaningful playing time. If Simpson emerges as the Crimson Tide's next great quarterback, they could be one of the nation's best teams. And he'll have some help, as he has plenty of playmakers on the outside, including top wideout Ryan Williams. Alabama also returned many NFL-ready offensive linemen and retained key members of its defense who opted to return to college rather than enter the NFL draft.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer is facing pressure after missing out on the College Football Playoff in his first season. This is a make-or-break campaign for his future in Tuscaloosa after replacing the legendary Nick Saban. If the quarterback can be a strength instead of a weakness, Alabama has the pieces to win the SEC.
Big Ten title odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ohio State | +200 |
| Penn State | +225 |
| Oregon | +350 |
| Michigan | +850 |
| USC | +2000 |
| Illinois | +3000 |
| Nebraska | +3000 |
| Indiana | +4000 |
| Iowa | +4000 |
| Washington | +6000 |
| UCLA | +10000 |
| Michigan State | +15000 |
| Rutgers | +15000 |
| Minnesota | +1500 |
| Wisconsin | +15000 |
| Maryland | +30000 |
| Northwestern | +50000 |
| Purdue | +50000 |
π Check out Big Ten title odds on ESPN BET and theScore Bet here
Penn State is well equipped to win the Big Ten with a first-round talent under center in Drew Allar, the best running back duo in the country with Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, and a loaded defense. But it's hard to trust James Franklin, who's 1-15 against top-five opponents and 4-20 against top-10 opponents.
The Nittany Lions have an easy schedule - they'll only be underdogs in a road matchup against Ohio State on Nov. 1 - so it'd be a disappointment if they don't at least make the Big Ten title game. But winning would require Franklin to emerge victorious in a big spot, a rare feat.
Ohio State, the defending national champ, returns enough talent to repeat, starting with the best playmaker in the country in Jeremiah Smith. But the Buckeyes have a new signal-caller, Julian Sayin, starting under center. The highly ranked recruit in the 2024 class has no experience, but he'll be delivering the ball to the nation's best wide receiver unit. That's exactly the setup a first-year starter needs.
Ohio State lost 14 players to the NFL draft, mainly from the defensive line. The good news is that Ohio State replenished through the portal and will provide its younger backups an opportunity.
The Buckeyes' outlook largely depends on Sayin and other inexperienced players. However, the talent is worth picking them over Penn State, Oregon, Michigan, and others.
Big 12 title odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Arizona State | +550 |
| Kansas State | +550 |
| Texas Tech | +550 |
| Utah | +600 |
| Baylor | +700 |
| TCU | +900 |
| Iowa State | +1100 |
| Kansas | +1500 |
| Colorado | +2000 |
| Cincinnati | +2200 |
| BYU | +2500 |
| Arizona | +3000 |
| Houston | +3000 |
| West Virginia | +4000 |
| Oklahoma State | +5000 |
| UCF | +5000 |
π Check out Big 12 title odds on ESPN BET and theScore Bet here
Arizona State was projected to finish toward the bottom of the standings in its first season in the Big 12. Instead, it won the conference and earned a bid to the College Football Playoff. Kenny Dillingham's program is now the favorite to repeat as Big 12 champs.
The conference is deep, evidenced by six teams with odds less than +1000, but it's not top-heavy. With the depth of the Big 10 and SEC, the Big 12 should be a one-bid conference.
Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech's all-time leading rusher, left for the NFL. Replacing his output is nearly impossible, but the Red Raiders loaded up on weapons through the transfer portal, including wide receiver Reggie Virgil and tight end Terrance Carter. That'll help quarterback Behran Morton, who finished third in passing yards in the Big 12 last season while throwing for 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions. However, transfer running back Quinten Joyner will miss the entire season with a torn ACL.
Texas Tech completely revamped its offensive line entering this season. While all the fresh faces create uncertainty, the Red Raiders' offense will be prolific if their weakest unit can emerge as a strength, even with Joyner's absence.
ACC title odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Clemson | -110 |
| Miami | +425 |
| Louisville | +850 |
| SMU | +900 |
| Georgia Tech | +1100 |
| Duke | +3500 |
| Florida State | +3500 |
| Pittsburgh | +4000 |
| North Carolina | +5000 |
| NC State | +5000 |
| Virginia Tech | +5000 |
| Boston College | +10000 |
| Syracuse | +10000 |
| Virginia | +10000 |
| California | +15000 |
| Stanford | +50000 |
| Wake Forest | +50000 |
π Check out ACC title odds on ESPN BET and theScore Bet here
I'd love to pick against the favorite, but Clemson has a stacked roster in a weak conference. Miami had its best team and best season in two decades last season. However, it still lost two conference games, and it easily could have been more if not for two miraculous wins against Virginia Tech and California.
The Hurricanes' disappointing end to the season proved that first overall pick Cam Ward masked glaring problems. Despite some reckless throws, Ward was sensational. And it doesn't feel like there's a reason to trust transfer Carson Beck to come close to Ward's production, especially after a disappointing campaign at Georgia.
Clemson, on the other hand, returned to the College Football Playoff after a three-year hiatus. Many of its key offensive talents return, including Heisman contender Cade Klubnik and most of its offensive line. Plus, T.J. Moore is back for a second season as Klubnik's top pass-catcher.
The Tigers have elite defensive personnel and hired one of the most respected defensive coordinators in the country in Tom Allen. There's a reason Clemson is fourth in the AP Poll and sixth in the coaches poll. Without many challengers in the ACC, take Clemson.
Sam Oshtry is a sports writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.
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